animus_network

I'm still here.

[When the feed turns on, it's to give him a visual as to her current status. Yes, she's relieved that he's around - she'd nearly been killed trying to find him when that random space-whale-thing crashed through the tower - and that's evident in the slight smirk pulling at the corner of her mouth. And then there are the dark circles under her eyes from lack of sleep. Insomina was a rather unpleasant mistress that loved poking her head around after something quite traumatic - like getting killed after turning into a demonic monster.]

I was wondering where you had disappeared to - though you were one of the people who ended up disappearing all together.

Edited 2012-09-12 18:42 (UTC)

Names. The names tell.

The hell happened to you?

The names tell? I'm not following...

I'm starting to get a better understanding about what you and Rusty have been trying to tell me about this place. Its been very trying and I've been wanting a drinking partner for ages, I can give you the details there.

[Pause.]

Oh. And I had a chance to assess Shion and Xion. They need more work, but they've got potential.

Name plates. On the doors

[He's being clipped and strange. That's what happens after several weeks of no human contact...]

Yeah. I... don't think I'm doin' them justice. You'd probably work with 'em better.

...What's wrong with Rusty?

Oh. I didn't know that's how you could tell. I've not exactly been brought up to full speed here, though with everything that happens so fast, I'm surprised we have time to learn anything.

[Yeah, she's noticed. Its a little off-putting, especially since she's quite pleased to see he's doing okay. She wouldn't tell anybody - at least without a lot of alcohol to help - but she was really worried about him.]

M-Me? No, no, no. They're just...young. Very young. They'll need more time. You'll do just fine - you turned me into the Turk I am today so I'm confident they'll learn well under your instruction.

...I couldn't tell you, honestly. Like I said, there was a lot that happened the last few weeks and I couldn't find you or him.

[And a short hesitation later.]

Can I come see you?

I'll go. Where are ya?

Library. Third floor. You don't mind? I can come to you.

[The feed cuts out and he's there within minutes.

His face is carefully neutral as he pulls up a chair behind her and thumps into it, tapping her on the shoulder.]

What happened?

[There's no small talk, just straight to the point with them. He's known her long enough to read between the words.]

[The abrupt stop of the feed earns a confused look, quickly followed up with an audible 'humph'. She knew Reno could be rude at times, but that was a little more than usual.

Ah, but what to discuss when he arrived. Would she start with that freakishly large monster and the possible recruit she found? Or how she damn near failed keeping the two little recruits alive? Perhaps she should focus on finding out just where the hell he had disappeared to and figure out how to prevent it again.

When Reno finally does arrive, she's completely oblivious to it, an arm stretched across her middle acting as a resting place for her opposite elbow, fingers lightly scratching against her lower lip in thought. As he moves closer, she suddenly becomes aware of his presence, hairs raising on the back of her neck, but not before he had slumped into the seat behind her and tapped her shoulder. And by that time she had only seconds to react.

The reaction comes first as a terrified, startled shriek, her body almost launching out of the seat as she twists to see her invisible assailant. Its the mass of familiar red hair that prevents her from fully flying to the other side of the room, a hand pressing against her chest.]

Sweet fucking summons, Reno! Don't sneak up on me!

[Flopping back into her seat, her hand still firmly holding back the hammering of her heart, she frowned at him. He was certainly being straight to the point with no desire for idle chit-chat. Okay. That she could do, it would help at least calm her nerves.]

I'll give you the cliff notes version:

First, the building was under attack and a monster the size of Sister Ray and seven times thicker than the cannon came diving through the tower. Nearly destroyed the whole damn thing.

Second, I came across Xion and Shion during that and we worked our way to the exit. Like I said, they're young and will need more work, but the potential is there.

Third, a handful of residents were poisoned with something that turned people either into undead-like creatures or turned people into full-on demons. Either somebody was targeting the Turks, or by random selection Rusty and I were affected. Annnnd we ended up having an all-out battle in a hallway. Kicked my ass, too. Unfortunately the only way to turn back into human was to be killed.

Which leads me to the fourth item - I think I may have found another recruit. He has a lot of potential, but I haven't fully vetted him yet.

[Well, that explains why the Tower was different.

Also explained why she just shrieked in his face.

Still, he didn't really react to anything, he was too jaded by the Tower to really do much except just shake his head- except at that last part.]

You know Tseng and I'll have to approve him. Who is it?

....

[Well his reaction, or lack thereof, was a bit disconcerting. Either he was so used to this place and what it hand in store or his disappearance had really taken its toll. It earns a concerned frown, eyes narrowing as she quickly gave him a once over.

Finding nothing wrong, at least visibly, she reached over and gave a slight tug of his hair.]

Idiot. I haven't forgotten the protcol. Though I haven't seen Tseng recently. Have you?

[Fingers hold the strands for several moments, almost as if she'd forgotten she'd left them there, before letting go. But the connectivity was returned when her hand resting on his arm. With her heart rate back in check, she was more able to focus on him and his very unusual behavior.]

He can wait. I'll give a debrief once I've decided if he's worth bringing on. But what I'm more curious about is you.

Reno...several of us tried to find you the last few weeks and couldn't find anything. Where did you go? What happened?

[Running a hand through his hair where she had tugged it, he gave a wane smile and shook his head.]

I went back home.

[The smile was a step in the right direction, no matter the size, but his answer sat uncomfortably with her.

But...you said your home was destroyed. How do you go back to a place that doesn't exist?

It's just a hunk of rock floating through a dead universe.

[That should tell her all she needs to know, though imagination could never do the reality justice.]

[Oh, she's got a creative mind to get an inkling of an idea what that sort of place would be like. Granted, she knew she was only imagining the tip of the iceberg. And, Gaia help him, just the faint idea of just how lonley a person would be...]

And you were there for this whole time? That sounds like hell.

You get used to it... but it's quiet there. Not even the wind, y'know?

Too quiet, if you asked me. You'd start to miss people pretty quickly in a place like that.

[Her hand on his arm gives a small, gentle squeeze, offering an empathetic smile]

I'm glad you're back safe. You had Xion and Shion in a fit when we couldn't find you.

They're babies... 'course they'd be upset.

[Shaking his head, he set his chin on the back of the chair and dangled his arms by his sides.]

Ya shoulda seen what Shion did last time I disappeared. He's gotten better if it's just a fit this time.

They were so eager to find you. When Shion found me searching one of the dorm floors, he ran towards a group of monsters to try to lure them away. Unarmed. If that isn't dedication, I don't know what is.

[Reading his shift in mood, she released his arm and turned to face him, hugging the back of her own chair wih her arm. Despite the fact that she had to end the physical connection, and losing that sense of connectivity, she was contented that she had confirmed that he was there, in the flesh.]

It sounds like these two are quite attached. And vice versa.

Yeah... that could be a problem...

[He gave her a glance, eyebrow raised.]

If I got to do something dangerous I don't want 'em following me.

Given the state of the tower, they made it work. And they both learned just how difficult it is to be in a dangerous situation unarmed.

[And she's returning his glance with a mocking are-you-serious gaze.]

Then we'll just have to instill in them that they will have to follow orders, whether they like them or not. That will teach them how to be calm and how to behave under pressure

But I hope you understand that if you've got to do something dangerous that you aren't alone. You can let me or Rusty know so we can go with you. You shouldn't be going off and doing things on your own.

There's some things I got to do by myself. But yeah... when we were breakin' into the control room, neither of 'em listened too well when I said to go back.

[He lifts his head, eyes less dull.] I got an idea, but I'm gonna need your help.

That will come in time and experience. I know mine did quickly after being hung upside down from that damn mountain in Wutai... [And she's exhaling, a low embarrassed groan riding the end of it. Gaia, that had been a horrible day.] If you're okay with it, I'd like to help train them.

Oh? [And she's wiggling in her seat a little, pressing deeper in the back of her chair as if doing so would make her scootch closer to Reno.] What's the idea?

Yeah, that'll be great.

[He grins a little. It's faint but there.]

If we want 'em to learn how to take orders... that sounds like a great job for you. Y'know... setting good examples.

[Oh, he wasn't suggesting... bad Reno.]

Sure thing. Besides, its not like we've got the President around to take care of - we've got a little more time on our hands.

[There we go, much better. She couldn't stand it when he was so serious and stand-offish. And, in a place like this, that type of seriousness was called up too often.]

Of cour- hold on... Just what exactly are you thinking of as an idea?

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